GoAir likely to fly abroad in 2015-16

Low-cost airline GoAir expects to start international operations from the beginning of the next financial year. “We will have a fleet of 20 aircraft by July. We will apply for international operations…I think we will be able to start during the beginning of 2015-16,” chief executive Giorgio De Roni said here on Tuesday.

To fly on international routes, domestic carriers have to have operations for at least five years and their fleet size should be at least 20. Initially, the airline’s global routes are likely to cater to the Gulf region and Southeast Asia.

“We are looking into these geographies, subject to approvals. But India remains our core business,” said Roni. He added by 2020, India would become third-largest airline market. Keeping this in Mind, the Wadia group-promoted airline has placed an order for 72 aircraft, which will be delivered between 2016 and 2022. On the possibilities of stake sale, Roni said discussions on the matter were underway, but nothing had been finalised yet.

According to reports, the airline has been in talks with Qatar Airways for divestment of stake. Roni, however, declined to confirm names. The airline has started new flights from Kolkata to Nagpur and Patna. It is also considering starting operations from Kolkata to Bhubaneswar. “We are seriously analysing that,” Roni said.